Chapter 9

ChapterNine

CHLOE

I close my eyes as if I can hide from what I’m seeing. Earlier I felt some cramps so I came to the bathroom to check, and there are three spots of blood on my panties. Now I’m really starting to freak out because the cramps aren’t going away.

“This can’t be happening.” I took both tests, and when I saw those lines come up, it was the first time I smiled in days.

Now I might be losing this too. I know I’ll need to call Sawyer because if I’m going to go to the hospital, he has the right to know—this is his child too. But I’m going to wait until I get there before I call him. He’s going to lose his mind.

Grabbing my purse, I make sure I have everything I need before I head down to grab a taxi. Where has the day gone? All I did was lie in bed all day, and now it’s night? I’ve been so disoriented since everything happened and now this.

Part of me realizes that moping for hours at a time and not facing the reality of the situation is childish. I can’t keep doing this anymore. I’m pregnant, and it’s time I stop living with my head in the clouds. At least that’s what Paul would always say.

A few cars drive by, but I don’t see a taxi in sight. Deciding I need to go back inside and ask for them to call a car, I turn around and run right into a solid chest. One that I know all too well.

Sawyer locks his hand around my arm, and his fingers grip so tightly that there’s no way I could break free. Not that I would make it far. His hold isn’t painful, but it’s sure as hell possessive.

His warm, familiar smell wraps around me, and I want to bury my face in his chest. As much as I’d love to, I manage to stop myself. Sawyer’s dark gaze keeps me pinned where I am, and it’s then I notice he looks like hell. Of course he’s still handsome, but I’m sure I look like a mess too.

“We’re going home,” he orders, and I shake my head. “Chloe,” he warns.

“I need to get to the hospital.” My words come out in a strangled whisper, and Sawyer’s eyes widen. He steps back to assess me, and I urge him on. “Now.”

“Come this way.” He leads me toward the road but doesn’t release his hold. In the distance, I spot his car double parked.

“How did you find me?”

“I’ll always find you,” he says with finality.

He hurries to open the door, and when I get inside, he leans over to pull my seat belt across me. I close my eyes when his warm breath tickles my lips. Normally he kisses me when he does this, but this time he doesn’t. My eyes flutter open, and he’s right there in front of me, staring at my face.

“I’ve missed you.”

There’s so much I know he wants to say and more I want to say too. I open my mouth, but I can’t find the words to begin. Someone honks from behind us, and Sawyer makes an aggressive growly sound of annoyance before he runs around and jumps into the driver seat.

“Why do you need to go to the hospital?” he asks even as he drives in the direction of the nearest one.

Turning to stare at the window, I take a deep breath. “This isn’t how I wanted to do this.”

“Things don’t always go to fucking plan, kitten,” he says as a humorless chuckle leaves him.

I can sense a chill around him, and I remember Paul telling me more than once that I didn’t know the real Sawyer. The man I love is not the one most people get.

“You look like you’ve lost weight.” His hands tighten on the steering wheel.

“It’s been hard to keep anything down,” I admit. I’m not sure if it’s the baby or everything else.

“Chloe,” he says “I?—”

“I’m pregnant,” I blurt out, and he sucks in a breath. “But I think something is wrong.”

Sawyer presses down on the gas, and the car speeds toward the hospital. “Why do you think something is wrong?”

“I’ve been cramping, and there was some blood.” My voice cracks, and I sniffle.

“It’s going to be okay.” He puts his hand down on my thigh, and it’s so warm and comforting.

Sawyer gets us to the hospital in record time and then practically carries me in while calling for help. With how pushy he is, I’m in a bed and there’s a doctor beside it within minutes. They draw my blood and get an IV going before they start the sonogram.

“Okay, we should see everything come up on the screen. With the dates you gave me, that puts you at six weeks, but I can confirm that.” Both Sawyer and I stare at the screen. “Oh,” the doctor says.

“Oh what?” Sawyer asks before I can.

“You’re six weeks,” she confirms. “See here.” She points to a tiny spot. “This is your baby.” Dr. Armas clicks on her keyboard, pulling us in closer. “See those flickers? That’s the heart.”

I let out a small gasp when I see the flutters. “We can’t hear it.”

“Not yet. Not all the heart valves are formed yet but my oh was because of this.” She directs our attention over to the left side before pointing to a different place on the screen.

“There’s two,” I whisper as I’m thinking this can’t be real.

“Twins.” Sawyer’s voice is filled with awe and emotion.

“Dr. Armas.” A nurse steps into the room to give her a file and turn on the lights. “Test results.”

“Thanks.” Dr. Armas flips through the file and nods. “Everything looks great. You’re a bit dehydrated, but your IV is getting some fluids into you.”

“Everything’s fine then? What about the blood?”

“Yes, at this stage it’s fine,” she confirms, and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“What caused it?” Sawyer still seems worried and wants more information.

“It’s totally normal, but I want you to keep in mind you’re having twins. Your blood pressure was a touch high but I’m guessing it’s from getting worked up about the bleeding. It’s important to try to have as little stress as possible.” She gives us both a stern glace.

“Could stress have caused the bleeding?” I ask.

“It’s not going to help.” She gives me a soft smile. “You’re in good health. Don’t stress over the babies.” She rubs my arm. “Let the IV bag run out and then we’ll get you out of here.”

“Thank you,” I say, and Dr. Armas turns to leave.

“Stay put,” Sawyer says to me before following the doctor out. I’m sure he’s going to ask a million and one questions. Where did he think I was going to run off to? I still have an IV in my arm.

I place my hand on my stomach, still unable to believe this is happening. We’re having twins. It doesn’t change the state of our marriage, so it’s hard to identify all my feelings at once. I’m not sure how we’re going to deal with that if stress is off the table.

When Sawyer comes back into the room, I can’t read his expression. But it’s safe to say I’m not the only one pissed off now.